In a move underscoring administrative accountability, Karnataka Lokayukta Justice BS Patil conducted a surprise inspection at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Kalaburagi, unearthing significant delays in land allotment for ex-servicemen and other governance issues.
Priority for Ex-Servicemen: A Directive Ignored
During his three-day tour of the Kalyana Karnataka region, covering Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, and Yadgir, Justice Patil made an unannounced visit to the Kalaburagi DC office on Monday noon. His inspection revealed a troubling backlog. Out of 55 proposals submitted by ex-servicemen seeking land sanction in the district, only 7 had been approved. Expressing deep concern, the Lokayukta stated that those who served the nation deserve priority and should receive land without unnecessary delays.
He immediately questioned officials on the status of the remaining 48 cases and directed Additional DC Rayappa Hunasagi to dispose of all pending proposals at various stages without further delay. Justice Patil highlighted that similar pendencies plague the districts of Bidar, Raichur, and Yadgir. The Lokayukta organisation is taking this matter seriously and warned that a case could be registered and an investigation launched into the inordinate delays.
Lake Encroachment and Fund Utilisation Under Scanner
The surprise check extended beyond land allotments. Officials informed Justice Patil that while staff had completed a survey of the district's 254 lakes, encroachment investigations were ongoing for only six of them. The Lokayukta questioned whether the remaining lakes were truly free from encroachment, demanding a thorough discussion and comprehensive information from the officers on this critical issue.
Another area of concern was the utilisation of development funds. The state government has been providing enhanced grants to the Kalyana Karnataka region through the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB). However, Justice Patil pointed out that these funds are not being used adequately, and complaints have been received about substandard work. To ensure transparency and proper follow-up, he instructed the Additional DC to submit a detailed report. This report must cover all proposals from public representatives recommended to the board since January 2025, their administrative sanction status, and the current stage of work execution.
A Call for Immediate Action and Accountability
The inspection concluded with clear directives for swift administrative action. The presence of senior officials, including Lokayukta Additional Director General of Police Manish Kharbikar, Lokayukta Kalaburagi SP Siddaraju, Lokayukta Judges Srinath K and Vijayananda, Assistant Commissioner Prabhureddy, and Tahsildar Anandsheel K, underscored the seriousness of the visit. Justice BS Patil's interventions highlight a proactive approach to grievance redressal, particularly for ex-servicemen, and signal a strict stance against bureaucratic lethargy and potential fund mismanagement in the region's development projects.
